Toronto is a magnet for aspiring young artists hoping to make it in the big smoke. Most days it feels like the 6ix is positively bursting at the seams with young artists, designers, filmmakers, actors and comedians busting their humps to make their dreams come true. She Does The City chatted with some of the most exciting and talented up-and-coming artists living and working in Toronto to find out what inspires them, how they deal with setbacks and what stops them from jacking it all in and getting a normal job.

For this installment, we caught up with singer/songwriter a l l i e.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?

I go by a l l i e, and I’m a singer/songwriter from Toronto.

It can be tough to forge a career as a recording artist. What has stopped you from quitting and doing something more stable?

It can be tough, but it’s so rewarding in so many ways. Connecting with people on a deep, soulful level keeps me going.

Did you always know you wanted to be a recording artist? What did you want to be when you were a teenager?

Definitely not! I never thought this is what I’d end up doing. I used to want to teach, or get into film. Singing was always like a secret hobby.

What inspires your work?

Love, life, death, desire…I’m just fascinated by the human experience, and writing gives me new ways of understanding it.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Currently it’d have to be finishing my new album, Nightshade!

How do you deal with career setbacks?

I have this mantra: if it’s meant for me, it will not go past me. So I think of setbacks as little tests from the universe to make sure my faith is on point.

What advice do you have for an aspiring musician or recording artist?

No one can do you like you can. Be yourself. Take care of yourself and focus on the music. This industry can be toxic, so self care is number one.

What do you hope to achieve in your career in 2017?

Travel the world, keep growing, and keep doing what I love.